Best Advice: What would I tell myself #IfIWere22?
In this series, professionals share what they’d do differently — and keep the same.Follow the stories here and write your own (please use #IfIWere22 in your post).
The series topic this month is a really interesting one which I hope many of the millennial followers take plenty of learnings from (not just my post).
Stephen at 22
When I was 22 I was just about handing in my dissertation for my bachelors degree at Newcastle University after delaying my degree for a year to complete a placement year at Nissan Motors. So the big decision was looming around which company I would begin my career at. I recall offers from Defence Engineering and Science Group (Bristol), Aerosystems International (Yeovil), HP (Reading), Electronic Data Systems (Newcastle) and a SME Manufacturer (Newcastle). Quite a diverse set of companies! Subsequently, a location decision was also needed as to whether to move away from the North East which at the time, from a personal perspective, was a difficult one to make. I took the decision to remain in the North East taking up the employment offer from Electronic Data Systems (EDS).
Stephen at 28
Looking back, turning down HP due to location was arguably one of my biggest career mistakes. Coincidently though, as many are aware, EDS was acquired by HP a month after I joined. Maybe my blood was always ‘blue’ all along! I look back and question what could of been if I had made the move to Reading or London at the age of 22. Later, opportunities arose to make the move South but once again, I spurned them to remain with HP albeit moving to an increasingly travel-oriented role.
So at 28 I am currently employed by HP following a series of internal promotions and role changes into a Management Consultant. What I do see now though that I didn’t back then are much more potential opportunities. The internal prospects are looking good!
#IfIWere22
1. Don’t Tie Yourself Down: However attached you may think you may be to a particular location, don’t be! At 22, things change. People change. Times change. When you are starting out you need to be flexible and focus on your career. Make the move that will be the best for your career.
2. Network, Network, Network: The old adage of its not what you know but who you know holds true for me… just add back in the fact you need to know stuff though! A well worked network can help you make the steps need to excel. Build it, leverage it.
3. Learn: Whether through a formal venture or continued curiosity, always learn. Always ask questions. Never be completely sure of yourself and always challenge your thinking.
4. Start-Up: Don’t be afraid to look at start-up ventures. I’d say this applies to myself at 18 as well as myself at 28! As Richard Branson puts it “Screw it, lets do it!”.
5. Travel: Explore the World. Absorb new cultures. Do new things. You may think it bears little relevance to your career but it REALLY teaches you a lot. My eyes have been truly opened by my international experiences.
Stephen Baines is a Management Consultant and MBA student currently working for Hewlett-Packard and studying at Manchester Business School. The views within this post are explicitly those of Stephen and have no representation of any organisation Stephen represents. If you wish to contact Stephen, please contact him via LinkedIn or his Twitter handle (@baines1986)
